Parkes, Overton lead Lansing boys to state semi win

Lansing wins the New York State Class C semifinal over Pierson/Bridgehamton 2/0.
Patrick Oehler/Staff Video

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Lansing's Taylor Overton celebrates his goal against Pierson/Bridgehampton during Saturday's Class C state semifinal at Middletown High School on November 11, 2017. (Photo: Patrick Oehler/Staff Photo)Buy Photo

Nick Parkes scored early and Taylor Overton scored late as the Lansing boys soccer team advanced to the Class C state championship game with a 2-0 victory over Pierson/Bridgehampton on Saturday at Middletown High School's Faller Field.

Parkes' goal came just under four minutes into the game off an assist from Josh Zajac following a corner kick. That lead provided an early emotional lift after the Bobcats lost to World of Inquiry in the final minute of last year's state semifinals.

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"It's always huge," Lansing coach Benji Parkes said. "We've been here for a few years and I don't think we've ever scored a goal in the first five or six minutes. It takes a lot of stress off these guys. They're only 16, 17 years old. To take that extra stress off really helps them play the next 75 minutes."

Overton added the clinching rebound off a scramble in front of the net with 3:14 to play, helping send the Bobcats (19-2) into Sunday's New York State Public High School Athletic Association championship game against Section 5's Byron-Bergen/Elba, a 4-0 winner over Lake Placid in Saturday's first semifinal.

"It's a total team effort," Benji Parkes said. "We had 24 guys here and all 24 guys can contribute. We got lucky with an early goal and it's easier to play ahead than behind. We've just got to keep working hard."

Hard work on the defensive end was a big part of Saturday's victory over a Long Island team that entered the day with a record of 17-1-1. Lansing finished with a 10-4 edge in shots on goal, with Bobcats goalie Jack Yahn turning away all four shots.

"We're just solid in the back," Benji Parkes said. "It starts with our goalkeeper, Jack Yahn, and then moving forward Nic Whittaker, Matt Weil, John Rogers and James Blair. They're all key parts to what we've done this season and we knew we were going to need all five of them today and come tomorrow."

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Lansing's Langston Hopkins and Pierson/Bridgehampton's Josue Cruz during Saturday's Class C state semifinal at Middletown High School on November 11, 2017. (Photo: Patrick Oehler/Staff Photo)

Lansing is seeking its first state championship in soccer and former coach Adam Heck remains a strong presence. Among the signs on display from Lansing's fans Saturday was one that read, "Strong As Heck." Heck died last year during the preseason at age 42 after 20 seasons coaching the Bobcats, whom he guided to the state final four each year from 2011-2014.

"Just hoping to see another good performance (Sunday)," said Benji Parkes, who played for Heck at Lansing. "If we can put another good 80 minutes together, then we give ourselves an opportunity to be successful. The ball’s got to go our way. It should be fun tomorrow."